Pet-First = Profitable: Amenities That Boost Bookings
The traditional idea of a camping trip – a family around a fire, enjoying the quiet outdoors, is starting to look a lot different. So, what’s at the heart of this change? Our pets. As campers increasingly select stays that put pet comfort first, adapting business strategies and upgrading to pet-centric amenities are a must to stay ahead of the curve.
“Pets Over People” Is Real, and It’s the Mainstream
Pet-friendly camping isn’t a niche, it’s the mainstream. KOA’s 2025 Camping & Outdoor Hospitality Report shows dogs are now the most common “plus-one” on camp trips, and younger campers are driving the trend (KOA, 2025).
Campers today organize trips around their furry companion. They’re making itineraries, choosing parks, and booking stays based on pet amenities. Choosing campgrounds, hotels, resorts and other stays that prioritize pet comfort are reshaping what successful businesses look like in 2025.
The Headline Numbers (and Why They Matter)
Who brings the pups? A detailed look at the data reveals that the trend toward pet-inclusive camping is not uniform across all age groups. The 2025 KOA report identified millennials as the most likely to camp with dogs (61%). Gen Z and Gen X are close behind at 51% each, and Boomers aren’t far off (44%) (KOA, 2025). Together, that’s a cross-generational wave of pet-first travel.
“Pets over people” is real because a majority (53%) of campers bring dogs on most or every trip, more than those who choose to camp with siblings (13%) or parents (10%). Even solo campers often bring a dog for company (Travel Noire, 2025).
Amenities are make-or-break. Forty-four percent (44%) of campers say pet amenities are “extremely important” (KOA, 2025). That’s not a nice-to-have; it’s a booking filter.
“Pet amenities are not a nice-to-have; it’s a booking filter”.
Why This Is Surging Now
KOA’s 2025 data shows the camping audience skews younger and more experience-driven, with Gen Z and Millennials making up a majority of new campers and placing high value on wellness, convenience – and pet-friendly stays (RV News, 2025). That generational mix is fueling demand for dog parks, on-site washes, and pet-safe spaces at modern parks and cabins. The Dyrt found >50% of campers brought dogs while 4.8% brought their cats in 2024. Dog parks ranked among the most-added campground features – right behind Wi-Fi and pickleball (The Dyrt, 2025). The takeaway is clear: serving pets isn’t a perk – it’s a business growth lever.
The Imperative of Pet Amenities: From Optional to Essential
With such a high percentage of campers bringing pets, the expectation for suitable amenities has skyrocketed. With 44% considering pet amenities to be extremely important when making their decision about where to camp shows these amenities aren’t merely a preference, it’s a critical decision-making factor. So, if your business isn’t set up for pets, you’re basically telling a booming audience to look next door.
What Constitutes "Extremely Important" Pet Amenities?
This often includes:
- Designated off-leash dog parks or play areas – with shade and water stations. Crucial for exercise and socialization.
- Pet-friendly cabins or cottages – with fenced or gated patios/decks. Accommodations designed to minimize pet-related wear and tear while maximizing comfort and pet safety.
- Pet-friendly trails and walking paths – ensuring safe and accessible outdoor exploration.
- Pet wash stations – with temperate water, non-slip floor, drain guard. Essential for keeping accommodations clean after muddy adventures.
- Scratch-resistant, easy-clean surfaces – LVP floors, washable slipcovers.
- Leash hooks, built -in kennels, mud-room cubbies at cabin entries.
- Waste disposal stations – promoting cleanliness and hygiene throughout the park.
- Quiet zones- sound -buffering or separation from play areas.
These aren’t just cute add-ons. Research shows pet-friendly lodging can increase length of stay, loyalty, and willingness to pay – clear revenue levers when executed well (Ramos-Ruiz et al, 2024). Investing in these features is no longer a luxury but a strategic necessity for campgrounds aiming for high occupancy and positive guest reviews.
Strategy Playbook for Parks & Hosts
- List pet amenities clearly in OTAs and your site; add “pet-filters” to search and booking flows.
- Bundle and price: offer a “Pet Pack” (bed, bowls, treats, cleanup kit) and a refundable pet deposit to align incentives.
- Zone smartly: separate quiet pet-friendly lodging from high-energy play zones to reduce noise complaints.
- Measure the lift: track pet-friendly unit occupancy, ADR, and repeat bookings vs. standard units; reinvest where ROI is highest.
- Tell the story: user-generated content featuring guests plus pets routinely outperforms generic cabin shots, invite tagged posts and reviews.
Vacavia’s Customizable Cottages & Cabins- Designed for Bookings (and Barkings)
Campers aren’t just bringing pets; they’re building trips around them. In 2025, the question isn’t “Are we pet-friendly?” It’s “Are we pet-first?” When comfort, safety, and ease for a dog become the filter for every booking, the winners are the businesses and hosts who design for the leash before the luggage. This is where intention meets design. Fenced spaces, easy clean-ups, calm zones, and clear policies don’t just reduce friction. They tell guests, “Your best friend belongs here.”
Vacavia’s cottages and cabins translate that promise into floor plans – pet-first layouts that are durable, practical, and revenue-smart. Our park models can be customized to capture this high demand.
- “Paw-Porch” option: gated front porch with composite decking and integrated leash anchor
- Entry mud-zone: hose-down flooring, towel niche, and pet-gear storage
- Built-in pet nook: ventilated kennel under bunks or bench seating
- Dog-wash add-on: exterior hot/cold spigot and tiled wash bay
- Durable interiors: scratch-resistant LVP, washable covers, concealed cord management
Conclusion
The numbers don’t lie: the modern camper’s loyalty is tied to a leash. What was once a niche market has become the mainstream, where the comfort of a canine companion dictates itineraries and bookings. The most critical takeaway is not only that people love their pets, but also that they are building their entire leisure lives around them.
Make the trail wider. Make the welcome louder. The future of outdoor hospitality walks in on four paws – meet it at the door.
References:
Kampgrounds of America (KOA). (2025). 2025 Outdoor and Camping Hospitality Report- The Eleventh Annual Survey of the General Population. http://koa.uberflip.com/i/1534018-2025-koa-camping-outdoor-hospitality-report-vlr/0?
Travel Noire. (2025). KOA 2025 Camping Trends: The Great Outdoor Revival. https://travelnoire.com/koa-2025-camping-trends
RV News. (2025). KOA Report Forecasts Camping Growth Amid Economic Shifts. https://www.rvnews.com/koa-report-forecasts-camping-growth-amid-economic-shifts/
The Dyrt. (2025). The Dyrt’s 2025 Camping Report Presented by Toyota Trucks. https://thedyrt.com/press/camping-report/
Ramos-Ruiz, J. E., Aguilar-Rivero, M., Aja-Valle, J., & Castaño-Prieto, L. (2024). An Analysis of the Demand for Tourist Accommodation to Travel with Dogs in Spain. Societies, 14(2), 18. https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14020018